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Jose emerged as a leader and I think will continue to be...I don't know how anyone can come in and take over a leadership role, leaders have to come from withing...unless they carry the weight of Vizquel or Thome

Darren Oliver is another great clubhouse leader for this team, should he decide to return. I would hope the events of the past week or so would help nudge him away from retirement. His odds of pitching in the playoffs have certainly increased dramatically. I gained so much respect for Oliver watching him pitch for the Jays this past year. I don't think I've ever seen a guy so relaxed and steady on the mound, basically looked the exact same every time we saw him. Just shows up when his number is called and throws strikes.

Yup, it's Jose's team. I think the 'Leadership' quality is over-rated in sports (The Mark Messiers of the world aside) and the 'leader' is often someone who plays well, or makes plays, when things aren't going well for the team.

I think Leadership can be important, but is probably being exhibited best where we don't see it...in the clubhouse, in the dugout with a helpful suggestion or calming influence or just staying cool when those around you are starting to get rattled. If you want fireworks or discipline, that's the managers job. He's the Warden who keeps the lunatics under control and pointed in the same direction.

Jose always seems to be doing these subtle things, and is certainly the first person talked to when questions arise. He's certainly not perfect (Stop *****ing at the Umps Jose, it doesn't help!), but I don't see how anyone can not consider this his team, like it or not.

Bautista is a leader and believe it or not so is Romero I feel. He might have sucked this past year but I gained much respect for him other day when he said he was ready to pitch in any role Jays asked him. Leaders aren't best players only but players who put the team ahead of themselves and I feel Romero did just that by saying he would pitch in any role.

What about the need for someone who has been their before. What players on the blue jays have been in the playoffs before. People around baseball (ie Ken Rothensal etc) claimed that leadership and experience was lacking last year. How good of a job did Bautista do keeping Lawrie under wraps last year. Is a stronger perosnality of manager good enough? I still think a player like Thome could help Bautista become the leader a championship team would need.

What about the need for someone who has been their before. What players on the blue jays have been in the playoffs before. People around baseball (ie Ken Rothensal etc) claimed that leadership and experience was lacking last year. How good of a job did Bautista do keeping Lawrie under wraps last year. Is a stronger perosnality of manager good enough? I still think a player like Thome could help Bautista become the leader a championship team would need.

Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle should help. Honestly though, I think we get someone like that at the trade deadline to play 1B/DH.

Bautista for sure. You can already tell because of the excitement he has shown.

As for others, Janssen will be a good presence in the pen as usual for leadership. Lawrie is one name I am sort of surprised no one has mentioned. I think he has that edge that players will relate too.